Choose fabric with your project, pattern and intended care in mind. This guide helps you plan a cut before ordering.
How many metres should I buy?
Start with the fabric requirement for your pattern, size and chosen view. Use the requirement for the width you are buying, and check whether it includes allowances for matching prints or a directional layout. Include separate requirements for lining, interfacing and other fabrics.
If your fabric is a different width, do not convert metres using a width ratio: individual pieces may not fit. Lay out the pattern pieces within the usable width, keeping the required grainline, fold and stretch direction. Measure the length that layout needs. For a project without a pattern, sketch the pieces with seam and hem allowances and plan their layout first.
Add any measured shrinkage allowance and extra length for print matching, testing or alterations. Check the product's selling unit before ordering: a quantity may represent a metre, half metre or a pre-cut piece. Ask us if the unit or availability of a continuous cut is unclear.
Width, direction and pattern repeat
Stated width is not always fully usable: allow for selvedges and any damaged or distorted edges. Check the fabric's width rather than assuming a standard size. Fabrics with nap, one-way prints or directional shine may require every piece to face the same way, increasing the length needed.
For stripes, checks and large motifs, decide which seams need matching. Check both lengthwise and crosswise repeats and plan the cutting layout. Curtain requirements also depend on finished drop, fullness, heading, hems and the number of widths. There is no single repeat allowance that suits every project.
Composition and weight
Check the stated fibre composition, construction, weight and stretch against your pattern's recommendations. Cotton, viscose and blends can behave differently depending on weave, knit and finishing. Jersey is a knitted construction, not a fibre: check its composition, stretch and recovery.
GSM means grams per square metre. It helps compare weight, but does not establish opacity, drape, durability or suitability by itself. A lightweight fabric may need lining; a firmer fabric may suit structure rather than gathers. Test a sample when those qualities matter.
Care and prewashing
Follow the fabric's specific care instructions. Do not assume a washing temperature from fibre content alone: finishes, dyes and blends can change the requirements. If instructions are missing, ask before washing or ironing.
For an item that will be washed, test the fabric using the intended washing and drying routine before cutting. Prewashing the full length can help reduce later dimensional changes, but only if that treatment is suitable for the fabric. Dry-clean-only materials need a suitable preparation method instead. Quilting and decorative projects may have different aims, so choose preparation to suit the finished result.
Measure shrinkage and allow for it
Mark and measure a sample in both directions, then wash, dry and press it as you intend to treat the finished item. Measure again without stretching it. Length shrinkage (%) = (original length minus treated length) ÷ original length × 100. Calculate width shrinkage separately, because it can change the cutting layout.
To allow for measured length shrinkage, divide the required usable length by (1 minus the shrinkage as a decimal). For example, 2 metres after 5% shrinkage needs 2 ÷ 0.95 = about 2.11 metres before treatment, before other allowances. Round up to the available selling increment. A sample is an indication, not a guarantee for every part of the cut or future wash.
Swatch testing before cutting
Use a sample to check colour, feel, opacity, stretch, recovery and drape. A very small swatch cannot fully show how a whole garment will hang. Check whether samples are available before ordering; do not assume a swatch service or minimum cut size.
- Measure shrinkage in length and width using your intended care routine.
- Check colour transfer against a light-coloured test cloth. Persistent bleeding needs advice rather than repeated washing without limits.
- Test a suitable iron setting on an inconspicuous sample, following care guidance.
- Sew a test seam with your planned needle, thread and stitch. Check puckering, seam strength and stretch where needed.
Find fabric for your project
These collections are starting points, not guarantees of suitability. Check each fabric's details against your pattern.
- Shirts, blouses and children's clothing: explore Cotton Poplin.
- Trousers and structured projects: compare Cotton Dyed Drill.
- Bags and totes: browse Cotton Canvas, checking the weight and any reinforcement needed.
- Draped dresses, skirts and blouses: explore Viscose and Floral Bird Cotton Viscose.
- Stretch-pattern garments: browse Jersey and check the pattern's required stretch.